Minister warns Putin over Russian spy ship in British waters

The Royal Navy is monitoring a Russian spy ship after it entered British waters, the Defense Secretary told MPs.

John Healy said the ship, Yantar, was used to gather intelligence and map the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure.

He said the incident was “yet another example of increasing Russian aggression”.

Healey said: “I also wanted President Putin to hear this message: We see you, we know what you’re doing, and we will not shy away from strong action to protect this country.”

Russia describes Yantar as a marine research vessel and is operated by the country’s Defense Ministry.

Western countries have frequently monitored the ship operating in European waters and suspect that part of its mission is to map undersea cables.

He also believes that Russia has been increasing this activity since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As well as surveillance equipment, the ship can also operate submersible drones capable of reaching the seabed.

Undersea infrastructure is vital for energy supply via power cables and pipelines, while over 95% of Internet traffic is also carried via undersea cables.

Healy said Yantar was currently in the North Sea, after passing through British waters and being found 45 miles off the British coast in the English Channel on Monday.

“For the past two days the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor ships in our waters every minute,” he said.

“I changed the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement so that our warships can approach and better track Yantar. So far, the ship has complied with international rules of navigation.”

The Defense Secretary said it was the second time in recent months the ship had entered British waters, with Yantar also detected in November “cruising over Britain’s critical maritime infrastructure”.

He said a Royal Navy submarine was authorized to surface close to Yantar “strictly as a preventive measure” and “to make it clear that we are secretly monitoring its every movement”. Was.

He further said, “The ship then headed towards the Mediterranean without detouring into British waters.”